Page 19 of Darn Knit All

Mai

Next time, we read the fine print

I hit send with a wry chuckle.

“All that stress for nothing. What a waste.”

I glanced up, catching my reflection in the mirrors. My relief was evident, but there was something else there too—a flicker of disappointment.

Despite the anxiety, doubts, and the little voice in my head that said I couldn’t do this, Yasmin and Maeve had convinced me I should try.

No. Iwantedto try.

But my dating life had been as dry as the Sahara for the last five years. Characters from my favorite novels were as close as I got to romance these days. And yet, even as I tried to persuade myself that it was for the best, I couldn’t shake off the competition entirely.

I pressed a hand to the wall of the bridal suite, breathing in the quiet of the room. I could co-own this business. These walls could be my walls. But I needed money to make this dream into reality.

I looked down at my phone, the email still glowing on the screen. The knowledge that they wanted me, had looked at my application and designs and liked what they saw, stirred a strange sense of longing. I didn’t need approval from my peers—but goodness if it didn’t feel good to know I had it.

Which made me wonder, what if this wasn’t the end of the story? What if it was just the beginning of a new chapter, one I hadn’t even realized I wanted to write?

I shook my head, laughing at myself.

“Come on,” I said, clicking the light off in the dressing room. “Back to work.”

CHAPTER 3

THEO

Theo

I need a favor

Mai

Uh-oh

Theo

Why uh-oh? What have I ever done to deserve this reaction?

Mai

You're really going to ask that question?

Theo

Yes! I deserve an answer!

Mai

Where should I start? How about the ball game

Theo

You didn't even like those shoes

Mai

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